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Planisphaerii coelestis hemisphaerium meridionale : calculatum ad finem anni MDCC, pro aevo XVIII praesente /

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Planisphaerii coelestis hemisphaerium meridionale : calculatum ad finem anni MDCC, pro aevo XVIII praesente /

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Summary

Shows hemispheric view with signs of the Zodiac and the constellations shown picorially.
"Cum Privilegio Pontissimorum D D Ordinum Hollandiae et Westfrisiae".
Appears in: Atlas nouveau contenant toutes les parties du monde, où sont exactement marqués les empires, monarchies, royaumes, états, républiques &c. Amsterdam: J. Cóvens et C. Mortier, [1683-1761].
Includes tables and notes concerning stars.
Insets: Solis observation novissima -- Lunae effigies, nuper conspecto -- Memoranda solis eclipsis -- Mercurius --Venus -- Mars -- Jupiter -- Saturnus.
LC copy stamped on in blue ink in lower left margin: 311A.
Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as a raster image.

Approximately 2000 B.C., Babylonian astrologers believed that the Sun, Moon, and the five planets known at that time (Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Saturn, and Venus) possessed distinct powers. Mars, for example, appeared to be red and was associated with aggression and war. Astrology was inherited by the Greeks from Babylonians around the 4th century B.C.Through the studies of Plato, Aristotle, and others, astrology came to be regarded as a science. It was embraced by the Romans and the Arabs. The zodiac (which is derived from the Greek word meaning "circle of animals") is believed to have developed in ancient Egypt and later adopted by the Babylonians. Early astrologers knew it took 12 lunar cycles (i.e., months) for the sun to return to its original position. They then identified 12 constellations that they observed were linked to the progression of the seasons and assigned them names of certain animals and persons (in Babylonia, for example, the rainy season was found to occur when the Sun was in a particular constellation which was then named Aquarius, or water bearer). Each of these four groups is inscribed in its own quadrant, or group of "houses," on a circle. The division of the 12 houses is based on Earth's daily rotation and relates to such circumstances as relationships, finances, travel, etc. The division of the 12 signs of the zodiac is based on the earth's year-long rotation around the Sun and relates to character traits and areas of life.

In the 17th century, maps took a huge leap forward. Mathematical and astronomical knowledge necessary to make accurate measurements had evolved. English mathematicians had perfected triangulation: navigation and surveying by right-angled triangles. Triangulation allowed navigators to set accurate courses and produced accurate land surveys. Seamen learned to correct their compasses for declination and had determined the existence of annual compass variation. Latitude determination was greatly improved with the John Davis quadrant. The measurement of distance sailed at sea was improved by another English invention, the common log. Longitudinal distance between Europe and Québec was determined by solar and lunar eclipses by the Jesuit Bressani in the 1640s and by Jean Deshayes in 1686. With accurate surveys in Europe, the grid of the modern map began to take shape.

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Date

01/01/1700
person

Contributors

Allard, Carel, 1648-approximately 1709.
Cóvens et Mortier.
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Source

Library of Congress
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Copyright info

Public Domain

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